HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was marketed as a one-and-done dose. However, there's talk about a booster shot that can impact millions of Americans.
THE QUESTION:
Is the J&J vaccine effective enough as a one-dose shot?
THE SOURCES:
THE ANSWER:
No, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine isn't effective enough as a one-dose vaccine.
WHAT WE FOUND:
And according to the CDC - Johnson & Johnson has efficacy of roughly 66 percent. J&J says its vaccine has proven to provide 85% protection against severe illness worldwide.
However recently, the company says the recommendation informed by its Phase 3 study - shows a booster increased protection to 94 percent against moderate to severe/critical COVID-19 in the U.S.
J&J says this study "evaluated a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine administered two months after the single-shot."
The 94 percent efficacy of the J&J booster shot in this study, is about the same efficacy of a fully vaccinated person who chose Pfizer or Moderna.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.